Improvement in skates



UNITED STATES 7. H. VELLSTEED, OF BUFFALO, NEV YORK.

` IMPROVEMENT IN SKATES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 35,722, dated June 24, 1802.

To @ZZ whom it may concern.-

\ Be it known that I, W. H. -WELLsTEED, of Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Skates; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, making a part of this specification, in which- Figure l is a side view of my invention; Fig. 2, a plan or top view of the same.

.Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the two figures.

This invention relates to a novel way of attaching the skate to the foot, whereby the use of straps is entirely avoided and much time saved in adjusting the skate to the foot, and the latter prevented from becoming cold and cramped, as in the case when straps are used for the purpose.

The invention consists in constructing the toe of the runner of the skate with a joint, and having a spring applied thereto, the toe of the runner being provided with an elastic pad, and all so arranged that the said toe of the runner is made to bear or press on the foot and effect the desired end.

To enable those skilled in the art to fully understand and construct my invention, I will proceed to describe it.

A represents the stock or foot-stand of a skate, and B is the runner, which may be attached to it in the usual or in any proper Way. C is a screw which is attached tothe back part of the stock A, and is screwed into the heel of the boot or shoe to secure the back part of the skate thereto. These parts may be all con structed and arranged in the usual way, and therefore do not require a minute description.

The front part of the runner B is turned up in front of the stock A, and the'toe D of the runner at a point just above the stock is attached to the runner by a joint, c, which admits of the toe projecting over the top of the stock A, or being turned forward and outward from the stock, as shown in blue outline in Fig. 1.

E represents a spring, which may be constructed of aat piece of steel, and is attached to the inner side ofthe front part of the runner by a screw, b. This spring bears against the inner part of the toe D, and has a tendency to keep the same in eitherof the two positions specied. To the outer end ofthe toe D there is attached aspring, F, by a thumbscrew, c. This spring is attached to the toe at right angles, and the spring should be equal in Width to the boot or shoe against or upon which it is designed to press. This spring may be cov-/ ered by a pad, if desired.

The front part of the stock or foot-stand A may be provided with spurs or points d, to pcnetrate the sole of the boot or shoe.

When the screw Gis turned into the heel of the boot or shoe, the front part of the latter rests upon the spurs or points d, and the spring F bears down upon the front part of the boot or shoe and retains the same in proper position.

The pressure of the toe D is due to the spring E, and the spring F is adj usted snugly to the boot or shoe by turning the thumbvscrew c. The spring F gives ease to the foot, effectw ally obviating any inconvenience which might otherwise be caused by the pressure of the toe upon the foot.

This invention has been practically tested and found to answer an admirable purpose. The skate is firmly secured to the foot, and the latter is not cramped nor rendered at all uncomfortable, as is the case when straps are employed.

The invention does not involve any material additional cost in the construction of the skate.

Having thus described my inventioii,wl1at I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

Thejointed toe D of the runner, spring E, and a suitable pressure spring or pad, F, in connection with the screw C, or other proper heel-fastening, substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.

'W. H. YVELLSTEED.

Vitnesses:

ANDEUs P. HIcKEY, lJOHN H. TUCKER. 

